SMALL-CELL CARCINOMA OF THE CERVIX - ANALYSIS OF CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS

Purpose of investigation: An attempt to better identify small cell car cinoma of the cervix and evaluate its prognosis. Methods: From January of 1970 to March of 1995, a total of seven patients diagnosed with sm all cell carcinoma of the cervix by pathologic revision were retrospec tively reviewed. Clinical information including age, clinical stage, l ymph-vascular space invasion, lymph node metastases, prognoses were an alyzed. Results: All specimens stained positive for neuron-specific en olase (NSE) and four were positive for chromogranin (CGR). The majorit y of patients (71%) died of disease within 18 months. Only one patient had an abnormal Pap smear before definite diagnosis, and only one pat ient was well and alive after a combination of surgery and multi-agent chemotherapy (p<0.05). Conclusion: Pap smears may not be an appropria te screening method for detecting small cell carcinoma of the cervix. Immunohistological staining may be helpful in diagnosis of small cell carcinoma of the cervix. Because of a very poor prognosis, more effect ive therapeutic protocol should be further defined in the management o f cervical small cell carcinoma.